Is it too early to start planning our trip to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event? Answer: Never!
Luckily, the team at Kentucky is ten steps ahead of us, and planning for the 2025 event (happening April 24-27) began nearly the moment the last horse crossed the finish line this past April. Get a sneak peek of the preparation that’s underway from one of the hardworking course builders working on site, Tyson Rementer, in the video embedded above or by visiting Instagram here.
Today is the final day of Early Bird Pricing for Kentucky tickets, so be sure to grab yours here — they make great holiday gifts!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Rocking Horse December H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
News & Reading
Many congratulations to Tom and Harriet McEwen, who welcomed a baby boy on November 29!
British readers! Want to win tickets to MARS Badminton in 2025? Now’s your chance! British Eventing is seeking respondents from members in its annual survey. On the table as an incentive to share your thoughts with organization are tickets to MARS Badminton, a parking pass and two season member badges to the Weatherbys Hamilton Members Enclosure. You can find more information on this survey here.
Peter Thomsen will continue to lead the German eventing team for the next four years, Buschreiter reports. He will be joined by discipline-specific coaches Anne-Kathrin Pohlmeier (dressage) and Frenchman Rodolphe Scherer (cross-country). Andreas Dibowski will take the reins of the U25 age group and development program from former coach Julia Krajewski after she stepped aside earlier this year. Jérôme Robiné, a Warendorf-based top-10 finisher at the 2023 European Championships, will assist Andreas in coaching U25 riders. Read more on Buschreiter here.
You might recognize the name Donna Brothers, the well-known sports journalist who can be seen on NBC presenting for equestrian sports. Donna got her start in the horse world through the world of racing, eventually finding her way to broadcast and weaving a storied career across disciplines. Read more on Donna’s background, career, and how she keeps it all in balance here.
We’ve all probably dealt with a horse who does not favor having their mane pulled. A tidy mane serves different purposes, but is there more than one way to accomplish this? Explore the topic here.
Video Break
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum take on the jumper ring!
